'Kevin Can Wait' cancellation: CBS exec reveals what went wrong

"Kevin Can Wait" fans are getting some answers about why the CBS sitcom was cancelled.

CBS announced last weekend that the Kevin James-starring show wasn't renewed for a third season, shocking the show's loyal viewers just one season into the much-discussed on-screen reunion of James and former "King Of Queens" co-star, Leah Remini.

Of course, that reunion wasn't without controversy. "Kevin Can Wait" famously killed off the character of James' original co-star, Erinn Hayes, in order to make room for Remini -- a move that didn't sit well with everyone, and ended up playing a role in the show's eventual demise.

"Creatively, the show made a choice at the beginning of last year," CBS Entertainment senior executive vice president Thom Sherman said, IndieWire reports. "We agreed to go along with it and unfortunately the audience didn't respond to it."

SEE ALSO: Kevin James and Leah Remini respond to ‘Kevin Can Wait' cancellation

Once the show made the controversial creative change, which James had previously thought would give the show a "lengthier" run, the audience started to fall off and ratings continuously dropped throughout its second season.

"It was a strong show for us, and it had a lot of decline this year, it was headed in the wrong direction," CBS Entertainment president Kelly Kahl said. "The numbers were going down. Looking forward, it didn't look like a show that could anchor a night for us."

Reacting to the cancellation earlier this week, both James and Remini thanked fans for supporting the show during its short run.

"I want to say thank you to all the fans for the love and support," James wrote on Instagram. "I was so blessed to be able to work every day with the most amazing cast, crew, writers and support team! Thank you all!"

"I want to say thank you to the amazing cast, crew, producers, and the writers of ['Kevin Can Wait']," Remini said. "You accepted me with open arms. For me to get to work with [Kevin James] day in and day out was a Godsend."

More from AOL.com:
Carla Hall has 'a little PTSD' from her time on 'Top Chef'
Inside Julia Roberts and Danny Moder’s ‘really solid, loving marriage’
Kim Kardashian deletes appetite suppressant ad amid backlash